Diabetic retinopathy treatment in Alexandria

When you have diabetes, it can cause complications and that includes your eyes. If you are either type one or type two diabetic, you are prone to the disease called diabetic retinopathy. What happens is that fluctuations in your blood sugar lead to retinal blood vessels becoming damaged. At The Retina Group of Washington, you can depend on our specialists to diagnose, evaluate, and offer solutions. When addressed in a timely manner, our diabetic retinopathy treatment in Alexandria is at its most effective. On the other hand, if the problem is ignored, you can eventually experience the blood flow to your eyes becoming completely blocked, and then loss of vision.

As a diabetic, it is strongly advised that you get an exam every year to check for indications of diabetic retinopathy. As is the case with many eye diseases, there are no obvious symptoms for you to notice in the early stages. This is why regular eye care is essential. You should also be aware that factors such as smoking, having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and pregnancy can all elevate your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Signs that you may have this disease include blurry vision, loss of vision, difficulties in perceiving colors, and floaters (spots in your field of vision). If you experience any of the listed symptoms, it could mean that the disease has progressed and you should call us to schedule an appointment. If you are diagnosed, our diabetic retinopathy treatment in Alexandria can help.

In mild cases, you may not need any treatment at all. Sometimes, monitoring of the condition along with lifestyle adjustments and medication designed to stabilize your blood sugar can be sufficient to correct the problem. In moderate to more severe instances, laser surgery will often be the best course of action with our diabetic retinopathy treatment in Alexandria. The procedure is called focal photocoagulation, and it is designed to seal the blood vessels that have started leaking as a result of the condition’s progression. It typically will slow vision loss by around 50% and improve your vision. Sometimes, more than one surgery will be required to get the situation under control.